Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a contender for the position of National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected the Board of Trustees’ (BoT) directive for the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in his opponent, Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Anyanwu criticized the decision, arguing that a legal case on the matter is still pending and questioning the legitimacy of the directive. He further noted that the tenures of nearly 80% of the BoT members present at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel meeting in Abuja had expired.
Additionally, he pointed out that neither he nor the National Chairman—who is also a BoT member—was invited to the meeting.
Anyanwu stated, “I’m a member of the BoT, I was not invited to the meeting, and neither was the National Chairman. This shows a lot. In any case, the tenure of about 80% of those at the meeting expired in October last year. They are also aware that this matter is in court. Even Chairman Wabara, who was taken to court, sent a representative. Their advice is just that — advice, and it cannot be taken seriously.”
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary, following the ruling of the Enugu High Court, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal. This decision was reached during an emergency meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who presented the communiqué, stated that the board had thoroughly reviewed the matter and endorsed the recommendations of the committee led by Saminu Turaki. The committee had examined the judicial rulings regarding the dispute between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Ude-Okoye over the National Secretary position.
In its resolution, the BoT reaffirmed its authority as a key organ of the party, emphasizing its constitutional responsibility to uphold ethical standards within the PDP. The board formally recognized Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary and urged the NWC to carry out his swearing-in without delay.
The BoT further called on all party members, stakeholders, and organs to comply with the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the matter. The board also commended the efforts of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the NWC, and the South East Executive Committee for their commitment to upholding the party’s constitutional principles.
During his opening remarks, Senator Wabara reiterated that the PDP remains a preferred choice for Nigerians, stressing the need for unity and collective efforts to resolve internal challenges. He highlighted the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for March 13, 2025, as a significant opportunity to shape the party’s future direction.
Due to security concerns, Wabara disclosed that the NEC meeting would be held outside the party’s National Secretariat. He urged the leadership to address these security issues promptly to ensure a safe environment for future gatherings.
Despite ongoing challenges, Wabara reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to democratic governance and national unity, positioning the party as a driving force for progress and stability in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Senator Anyanwu, who was the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 governorship election, had previously retained his position as National Secretary.
However, at a meeting in Enugu, PDP stakeholders from the South East resolved to nominate Ude-Okoye as his replacement, arguing that the position was zoned to the region. The meeting was attended by key party figures, including BoT Chairman Senator Wabara, BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governors.
